Sharks Named After Land Animals.

When a diver spots and photographs a certain shark here in Sharm, there is always a debate on what type of shark it is. Here is the true facts about these certain sharks as explained many times by our previous resident Marine Biologist and Dive instructor affectionately known as Taffro. (AKA Alec Jones).

 Photo Above Credited to Kat Mcquillan.
The shark above (Stegostoma fasciatum) Is commonly known as a Leopard Shark, due to the spots on it when it becomes an adult, which resembles a land big cat “The Leopard”. However, Alec, due to his marine biology degree, informs us that it is an actual Zebra Shark, as when it is born, it has a dark body with yellowish whiteish stripes, resembling another land animal “The Zebra”.  It’s not until it grows, that the stripes turns into hundreds of black spots.  This is where the confusion comes from.
These sharks are seen in the waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific. So their habitat is on tropical coral reefs and sandy plateaus, as in The Red Sea. Some website say they are Zebra Sharks when they are born, but transforms into Leopard Sharks when they grow, which is not actually true. A Zebra Shark dosent change it's breed by growing. So we will be pushing what Alec tells us, by saying it's a Zebra Shark.

Off the Pacific coast of North America, you may get to spot a Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata). This is called a Leopard shark from birth. A totally different species to the Tropical Indo-pacific Zebra Shark. This is belonging to the Hound Shark family, and these sharks are born with black spots and black sadle shapes, and keep them all through adulthood. In fact, they are born a miniature version of their adult self.
They live in kelp forests which due to the nature of where the kelp grows, is in shallow coastal waters.

Photo Credited to Mr Alun.
Another shark that is named after a big land cat, is The Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Some of our divers have recently seen a few Tiger Sharks crusing below around the reefs in The Straits of Tiran, at approx 35/40 meters down beneath them, but with no photographic eveidence. This one above however, was photographed many years ago around 5 meters deep.

Phot Credited to Kat McQuillan.
The Indo-pacific Zebra Shark above, has a long sweeping tail, almost the same length as it’s body, whereas the North American Pacific coast Leopard Shark  below, has a typical hound shark tail.